Decreased phagocytic activity of Kupffer cells in a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis model.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate Kupffer cell dynamics and phagocytic activity, using a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model.


METHODS
Male F344 rats were fed either a control diet or a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet, followed by contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using Levovist. The uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was determined by fluorescent microscopy. The status of the Kupffer cells was compared between the two groups, using the immunohistochemical staining technique.


RESULTS
After 4 or more wk of the CDAA diet, CEUS examination revealed a decrease in the signal intensity, 20 min after intravenous Levovist. Fluorescent microscopic examination showed that the uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was reduced at week 1 and 2 in the study group, compared with the controls, with no further reduction after 3 wk. Immunohistochemical staining revealed no significant difference in the Kupffer cell counts between the control group and the CDAA group.


CONCLUSIONS
CEUS examination using Levovist demonstrated reduced contrast effect and phagocytic activity in the liver parenchymal phase, although the Kupffer cell numbers were unchanged, indicating reduced phagocytic function of the Kupffer cells in the rat NASH model. We believe that CEUS examination using Levovist is a useful screening modality, which can detect NASH in fatty liver patients.
Tsujimoto
Tatsuhiro
T
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan. tat-tyan@xa2.so-net.ne.jp
Kawaratani
Hideto
H
Kitazawa
Toshiyuki
T
Hirai
Toshiko
T
Ohishi
Hajime
H
Kitade
Mitsuteru
M
Yoshiji
Hitoshi
H
Uemura
Masahito
M
Fukui
Hiroshi
H
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003287:Contrast Media; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008863:Microspheres; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D011134:Polysaccharides; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C059891:SHU 508; D000410:Alanine Transaminase